Best exfoliators for face and body

Jessica Padykula is a freelance writer and editor in Toronto, Canada covering a wide range of topics for several online lifestyle publications. She is a regular contributor for SheKnows, covering travel, style, relationships, health and...

Be a smooth operator

Tis the season for dry, flaky skin from head to toe. To help combat winter’s biggest skin care concern, we put together a list of our favorite skin smoothing scrubs for face and body. Read on for our skin care tips for the most effective ways to fight flakes and keep skin looking soft and healthy all winter.

For the body

Hot salt scrub

No time for a trip to the spa? No problem. Bliss hot salt scrub ($36) is almost as good as a professional treatment for getting skin soft and smooth. The self-heating formula gently exfoliates the skin with sea salts while hydrating the skin with algae extract and glycerine. We especially love the stimulating scent combination of rosemary and eucalyptus.

Exfoliating body wash

There's nothing quite like leaving the shower with that just-scrubbed tingly feeling all over -- not to mention how touchable our skin feels after exfoliating. For your smoothest skin yet, we suggest trying Philosophy the microdelivery exfoliating body wash ($25). This super-scrubber gently resurfaces the skin leaving you soft and smooth.

Body polish

Treat your skin -- and your senses -- to The Body Shop strawberry body polish ($18). The foaming, gel-based scrub gets its skin-smoothing properties from crushed walnut shells and kiwi seeds. Skin is also hydrated as you cleanse and exfoliate with sunflower and sweet almond oils. You may never want to leave the shower again.

For the face

Deep cleansing scrub

Put your best face forward with our new favorite facial product -- Korres pomegranate deep cleansing scrub ($21). This creamy skin smoother is formulated with Greek olive stones which work to refine the look of pores and remove excess oil. Pomegranate extract tones the skin and olive and calendula extract amp up the antioxidant benefits.

Buffing grains

We discovered this effective exfoliator a few years ago and it still holds a place on our bathroom counter -- with good reason. Bobbi buffing grains for face ($40) can be mixed with your cleanser or plain water to create a gentle exfoliator to smooth and revive your complexion. Made from Japanese adzuki bean powder, these grains promote cell turnover and leave skin glowing.

Cream exfoliant

If you have sensitive skin or you'd simply rather not scrub, Dermalogica gentle cream exfoliant ($36) is your ideal option. Lactic acid, salicylic acid and fruit enzymes work to detach dead skin and encourage cell turnover -- all without scrubbing. All you need to do is smooth onto damp, clean skin, leave for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water for radiant, refreshed skin.